Ward's Communications Announces Staff Realignment
26 February 1999
Ward's Communications Announces Staff Realignment
SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Feb. 26 -- Ward's Communications announces
a sweeping realignment of its editorial, advertising and database operations
designed to more fully utilize resources and create new synergies with its
sister companies. Ward's, an industry leading provider of global automotive
reporting, data and analysis, is part of the Intertec Publishing Corporation,
itself a part of one of the world's fastest growing media corporations,
PRIMEDIA .
The reorganization, effective March 1, promotes Ward's president and group
publisher Roger K. Powers to Intertec Publishing Vice President, heading the
locally based Transportation Division. In his new position, Powers will
continue to oversee Ward's operations and publications, which include the
respected weekly newsletter "Ward's Automotive Reports" and the award-winning
monthly "Ward's Auto World." He will also assume responsibility for six
Intertec Publishing magazines, including "Fleet Owner," "American Trucker" and
"Truck/Body Builders," creating enormous potential for the sharing of
resources and experience.
Another major shift in the reorganization is the decision by long-time
Editorial Director and "Ward's Auto World" Editor-in-Chief David C. Smith to
reduce his work schedule. Smith will continue to be an integral part of all
Ward's publications as editor-at-large.
Under the leadership of Powers and Smith, Ward's Communications has
solidified its 75-year reputation as a respected source of automotive
journalism. Since 1972, Ward's publications have earned more than 60 awards
for editorial excellence. The past two months alone have seen Ward's
presented with three honors: two International Wheel Awards from the Detroit
Press Foundation and one Neal Certificate of Merit from the American Business
Press.
Under the new organizational structure, Ward's publications and services
will be divided into two groups. The Magazine Group includes primarily
advertising-based products such as "Ward's Auto World," "Ward's Dealer
Business" and "Ward's Automotive Yearbook," plus "Ward's Engine and Vehicle
Technology Update." It will be headed by Rich West, publisher.
The second, Ward's Information Group, which includes the operations of
"Ward's Automotive Reports," "Ward's Automotive International," "Ward's Focus
on China," and the editorial content of "Ward's Automotive Yearbook," will be
headed by Jim Bush, publisher. This group also offers Ward's Statistics and
Database products, which have seen tremendous growth in recent years. Its
flagship service, "Ward's AutoInfoBank," offers subscribers a gateway to the
vast Ward's database for instant updates of auto production and sales,
powerful software for easy data retrieval and unique report-customizing tools.
Key editorial promotions are also part of the reorganization. Former
Ward's Executive Editor Drew Winter has been named editor of "Ward's Auto
World." Dave Zoia, formerly editor of four Ward's newsletters, has been named
editorial director of the Information Group.
Additional promotions reflect a cross-functional strategy between the
groups to maximize the broad editorial expertise at Ward's. Said Deep has
been named editor of "Ward's Automotive Reports" and senior news editor of
"Ward's Auto World." Bill Visnic has been named editor of "Ward's Engine and
Vehicle Technology Update" and Senior Technical Editor for "Ward's Auto
World." Barbara McClellan has been named editor of "Ward's Automotive
International/Focus on China" and senior international editor of "Ward's Auto
World." Mike Arnholt will serve as senior managing editor of "Ward's Auto
World."
"This reorganization will help us infuse more of the expertise from our
highly specialized newsletters into Ward's Auto World's already award-winning
coverage," says Powers.
Ward's Communications Products
* "Ward's Auto World"
Monthly magazine covering automotive OEM industry
* "Ward's Dealer Business"
Monthly magazine covering automotive retail industry
* "Ward's Automotive Reports"
Weekly newsletter featuring news, production, sales and inventory data
* "Ward's Automotive International"
Twice-monthly newsletter delivering global news and analysis
* "Ward's Focus on China"
Monthly newsletter featuring news and trends in China's OEM industry
* "Ward's Engine and Vehicle Technology Update"
Twice-monthly newsletter covering engineering and technical issues
* "Ward's Automotive Yearbook"
Annual year in review of global auto industry
* "Ward's AutoInfoBank"
Dial-up gateway to Ward's data with instant production, sales and more
* "wardsauto.com" and "wardsdealer.com"
Regularly updated websites featuring content from Ward's editors and
useful information utilities